Greek Australian entrepreneur Mark Bouris has been hired by NSW Treasurer Daniel Mookhey to lead a new advisory service for small businesses and will review the challenges they face.
This review comes after nearly 700 businesses collapsed this year, affected by a combination of the cost-of-living crisis, the conflict in the Middle East, and rising interest rates.
The NSW government is developing a new advisory service to replace the existing free Business Connect program. Small business owners will be invited to share their feedback to help design the new service.
As part of this process, the government is conducting a 90-day review into the challenges facing small businesses. The aim is to ensure the new service is “fit for purpose” to address the “modern challenges” facing the state’s more than 890,000 small businesses.
Bouris is a Greek Australian entrepreneur known for founding Wizard Home Loans, Yellow Brick Road and hosting The Apprentice Australia. He has agreed to lead the review.
Bouris has already started conversations with business owners and says he is “acutely aware of the challenges and pressures small business owners face, and the difference expert advice and support can make.”
“I’m really looking forward to helping shape the future of the new small business advisory service and am confident this can be a game changer for the business community in NSW.”
The government declared the review findings will “inform” the design of the new service. The review will also be supported by the Service NSW Business Bureau.
Treasurer Mookhey said he could not think of anyone better to help shape the new advisory service.
“I am delighted Mark has accepted our invitation to lead this review,” he said.
“There are more than 890,000 small businesses in NSW employing around 1.8 million people and the NSW Government is committed to investing in and supporting their growth and development.”
The review will be presented to the NSW Government in May 2026.
Source: The Daily Telegraph
